Which Cracker Is Better, Ritz or Triscuit?

We've been eating a lot of cheese balls around here—and have therefore found ourselves in a heated dispute: Which is the ideal cracker to accompany them? Tempers are flaring. It may come to blows. Some among us contend that Ritz is the one choice, the true choice, the only choice; but a strong, vocal, and fierce Triscuit contingent refuses to go quietly.

"Triscuits are completely and utterly perfect," says Amiel Stanek, assistant to our editor in chief. Assistant food editor Alison Roman concurs, taking a jab at Ritz in the process: "I loved Triscuits as a child and continue to do so as an adult. Ritz are weirdly and unnecessarily sweet—also they fall apart when you try and eat them with anything. It's also fun to say 'Triscuits!' when something bad happens." Even our editor in chief, Adam Rapaport, is pro-Triscuit. He likes them "with grocery-store cheddar, a gin and tonic, and Walter Cronkite."

Carrying the Ritz torch is Web developer Erik Peterson, who avows, "Triscuits are what you eat if you want to trick yourself into thinking a blob of extruded carbohydrates, oil, and salt is healthy." (He adds, searingly, "The bottom of the bag is always full of little strands of Triscuit that look like someone fried the frayed bits from the cuff of your jeans.") Creative director Alex Grossman sides with Ritz because of its "perfect buttery texture—more versatile than Triscuit. Litmus test: which are you more likely to absentmindedly finish the box on? No way anyone says Triscuit." And the indefatigable Dawn Perry, our senior food editor, defends Ritz elegantly, with a quick recipe to boot: "Ritz. Buttery, tender, perfect for cheese, peanut butter, avocado, or making tiny ghetto pizzas with ground beef, jarred tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella (broil to melt)." Senior associate editor Meryl Rothstein even owns a Ritz necklace: "It's pretty clear where my allegiances lie."

But this isn't about us, dear reader—it's about you. As a symbol of our trust, we're letting you decide: Ritz or Triscuit? Vote in our poll below, and we'll settle this matter once and for all. Before you hem and haw, though, know this—there are only two horses in this race. Devotees of Stoned Wheat Thins, Saltines, and water crackers can seek succor elsewhere. This is about the major players.